Barbara Kraus

January 18, 1927 - September 2, 2010

Barbara Lou Kraus died at home on the morning of Sept. 2 after a two-year battle with cancer. A long-time resident of Yelm, Olympia, and Lacey, Barbara married William F. Kraus on July 12, 1952 in McKenna. The couple raised their seven children in the Olympia area. Barbara received her Baccalaureate Nursing Degree from Seattle University in June 1950, taught for the North Thurston School District in the 1970's, was the Director of Nursing for Panorama City Convalescent Center, and retired as an employee of the North Thurston School District as a school nurse during the 1990's. An active member of the Catholic faith throughout her life, Barbara served on many guilds and as a Youth Choir Director in the area. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Bill in 1983. She is survived by her children Delight Watson, Jan Wolfe, Colleen Malkmus, Cecile Flegel, Diane Albright, Tim Kraus, and Lavon McCord and their families, including 16 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by her sister Lucille Hayes of San Jose, California. Barbara rests at the Olympic Memorial Garden Cemetery in Tumwater. There will be a memorial service 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Olympia. A coffee will follow the service in the parish hall.